Only a few minutes to make an entry here this morning before heading to the weekend retreat. So no original image (for the moment), which is « intentional » if only because I have no time to add one.
Our weekly talk last night after sitting was something about tracing one’s unique, invisible, clear, precise, mysterious path through the infinite sky. I was inspired by a poem that my teacher, Genno Roshi, wrote on the back of a new rakusu that she gave me for my birthday. (picture to come later? talk will be online soon, too) How meaningful it is for our Heart of Life retreat!
Thank you all for your participation this week. I’ll send a closing email tomorrow when I have more time.
More to come from me here, probably tomorrow. And from you?
Greetings from Almada, in Portugal.
Very difficult to write here in the last couple of days of this Retreat in the Heart of Life. Busy preparations for a busy weekend away from home, with a band in which I play. An environment apparently so different from this. But is it? That was my initial feeling, that it was diferent, very diferent. Many people, noisy, late night fun and laughter, small kids, grown-ups, music, drinks, conversations, demanding schedule, bus rides. Why separate this from everything else? Should (that verb again!) I constantly question the purpose, question the enjoyment? Isn’t that questioning the separation itself? But what about the experience of it all without the awareness? Don’t know.
Glad I still came back, though one day late, to write something.
If it is still possible, I would like to say that I have been present during all this week, this so beautiful Heart of Life retreat, even if rather silently…Etre au coeur de la vie…
I read your words about the said talk last night just before bed and now in yet another morning in London. I’m caught up by the word « tracing » – what’s left behind to be traced?
Work, here, doesn’t obey to the Monday-to-Friday rule and today is the perfect example. Will be sitting at my bench with all of you and all the cracks of our life’s. A bientôt!
Please ignore the mistakes… 😉
Thank you Amy and all the others. It was a wonderful and surprisingly unexpected experience. This is what often happens to me when I go to « things » with no particular expectations. In the nex few days I’ll have the echoes of what made more sense to me: getting closer, sent te cracks and the light that might come true and stumbling on stuff, the ones I was looking for? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
A raining day, and a beautiful visit at the Astronomic Observatory in Coimbra.
Thank you Roshi for another Heart Life Retreat.
A big kiss and a big hug for everyone.
Strange paradox of life: moving together with life while keeping at the same time still, aware in motion; part of it and at the same time as silent witness. Thank You all for being one and together.
And, my belated happy birthday, Roshi.
Beautiful and refreshing summer rain. Dancing. Putting up our DIY Christmas decorations. Also, tired. Being a parent is demanding. My toddler calls me to the now every couple of seconds. No time to drift and squander. Grateful for joining all in this unique retreat we call life.
Not much time to write either for the same reason as Amy. I’m glad I could participate to this new kind of retreat. Thanks to everyone for making it lively each from your own part of the world.